The event that was superbly planned and executed – but poorly attended. The Alpha course that was communicated brilliantly – but the congregation didn’t bring any guests along. The Annual Church Meeting that was visionary and informative – but discussion focused on a typo in the annual report. The series on ‘Giving’ that was carefully crafted – but giving went down. The building project that came in on time and budget – but there was grumbling about the colour of the carpet. The list could go on.
We all face times when the results of our hard work are far from those we expected. We are disappointed.
That’s an experience I’ve had in recent months and God has used the story of Elijah to teach me through it. As New Wine Executive Director, I’d led the team though 18 months of intense work to execute a huge change - the relocation of our summer United Christian festival to a new site. To get ready for 22,000 people took a massive level of work and the team gave their all. Expectations were high. BUT…half-a-month’s rainfall in a day in Week One and winds exceeding 60mph in week 2, alongside teething problems with the site, made this the hardest event New Wine had encountered. God’s provision was amazing and the testimonies of healing, restoration and breakthrough from delegates were awesome, but disappointment rather than celebration took hold of my heart. The event didn’t go as I had expected or wanted. More recently, I was unable to speak at a conference for leaders of large churches due to a virus unexpectedly causing my heart muscle to inflame. Months of preparation and a great opportunity both went to waste. Far from what I expected, and disappointment took hold. That’s when Elijah’s story came to life for me again.
We can read the story in 1 Kings 19. From previous chapters we see how Elijah was faithful to all God asked him to do – and the story of God working though him is amazing. And yet just after God demonstrated His power to His people, Elijah withdrew to a desert place and we find him saying ‘I’ve had enough’. Why? Partly exhaustion… pressing on too hard for too long and neglecting self-care. Partly a wrong perspective – feeling alone and isolated when that wasn’t truth. But 1 Kings 19:3 may be the key. In some translations we read ‘Elijah was afraid’ after Jezebel threatened his life. Other translations have this verse as ‘When Elijah saw’. At that point Elijah saw the reality and it didn’t meet his expectation. I imagine that, as a result of his obedience and God’s work, Elijah thought King Ahab and Jezebel would repent, turn to God and a revival of God’s name in that nation would happen. But nothing changed.
Unfulfilled expectations and disappointment took hold and caused Elijah to withdraw from those around him and to decide enough was enough. Perhaps you are there now, or on your way to that place? God’s response to you and I, if we find ourselves in that place in the story, is the same as his response to Elijah. His voice of hope and restoration wants to speak to us. He says “Rest, eat… and then come and be in my presence. Come to me and listen to me.” An angel encouraged Elijah to sleep, eat and then journey to Horeb to talk with God. There, God wants Elijah to have a personal encounter with Him, but as His power passes by in the wind and the earthquake Elijah stays in his cave. It’s the gentle voice of God that draws him out. God speaks gently and lovingly and reminds Elijah of His love, care, power and provision for him. He reminds Elijah that He has given others to work alongside him so Elijah should not be alone. Elijah personally encounters God and has his hope restored and his perspective changed. He’s reminded that there is a place for him in God’s ongoing story, and he’s encouraged to go back to where God has called him to work.
By the kindness of the presence of God and his teaching from the story of Elijah I’ve had to ‘get out of my cave’ of disappointment these past weeks. I pray that if you find yourself in that place – now or in coming months – that you will also hear the gentle and loving voice of God calling you out. To encounter Him, to receive His restoration and re-fuelling of hope and faith. Choose to continue to play your part in the ongoing story God has written for you. We may have expectations of what that looks like, but even when we don’t understand the page we find ourselves on, we can trust that God’s story is a wonderful one and that the ending is awesome!
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”
Jules Morgan – Executive Director